“I was forced to sleep on the floor of my parents’ room the night before I was driven, by them, to the City of Faith Hospital. It was on the campus of, and a part of, Oral Roberts University. I had no idea what was going on. My best friend’s mom had just spilled the beans about me having sex with my boyfriend, and the next thing I knew, I was being thrown in the back of my parent’s car and driven two hours away in silence.
I was admitted and locked up with no explanation. Some say it was better that their parents took them. I cannot say of course. However, I can say I now have severe abandonment/trust issues and people make me paranoid. On one hand, I am desperate to find and enjoy healthy love and on the other, I do not believe it exists. I am always confused about it.
I think my parents driving me seriously damaged our relationship, and I now do not speak to them. Daily, I mourn the loss of not only my childhood but also the loss of the kind of parental support that most people take for granted.
I stayed at this bizarre facility for months. I do not remember how long. My childhood memories are far and few between, because of so much trauma. I do remember one of the staff being fired for checking a girl’s private area for lice, and a boy tried escaping by fitting in the food cart when they would bring it around.
I also remember being given a pelvic exam and being in incredible pain afterward. I told a nurse and they just sent me to my bed, and a male nurse sat in a chair beside my bed silently, while I anguished in pain. I still do not know why. I have tried to get my medical records and they always just send me in a circle. I wish I could find some of the survivors that were there. It was such a traumatic experience that I do not remember anyone’s name that was there with me.”